Frame member and assembly for carrying electrical signals and the like

Abstract

A frame assembly for affording mechanical support and for carrying electrical conduction paths for connection to circuitry of a machine. The frame assembly includes members comprising pultrusions having an insulating body and reinforcing fibers within the insulating body, and has grooves in surface portions along an elongated dimension with conductors in the grooves. The conductors provide electrical conduction paths that are connectable to circuitry of the machine. The pultrusion may be a thermal setting polymer, for example, selected from the group consisting essentially of polyester, vinyl ester, and epoxies, and may be reinforced with fiberglass. The frame member can also have a hollow interior portion within which conductors are arranged to conduct AC power to the circuitry of the machine, and the conductors on the exterior surface of the frame member can be arranged to conduct IIOC bus signals. When a plurality of the frame members are connected together to form a frame assembly, corresponding conductors of each are interconnected to facilitate supplying and directing the electrical signals to the machine. The connections can be made to and among the electrical conductors carried by the pultrusions by blocks that are attachable to the pultrusions.

We claim: 
     
       1. A frame assembly that provides mechanical support and carries electrical conduction paths for connection to circuitry of a machine, comprising: a plurality of pultrusions, each including an insulating body and reinforcing fibers within said insulating body, each said pultrusion having grooves in surface portions along an elongated dimension;   conductors on said surface portions of each said pultrusion, said conductors providing electrical conduction paths connectable to circuitry of said machine; and   at least one connector block, said connector block being attached to at least two of said pultrusions and having conductors that contact said conductors on the surface of said at least two pultrusions when said connector block is attached to said at least two pultrusions, wherein said connector block interconnects selected conductors of said at least two pultrusions when said connector block is attached to said at least two pultrusions.   
     
     
       2. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein said connector block interconnects said selected conductors by one of soldered areas, welded areas and spring contacts. 
     
     
       3. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein said connector block conductors include molded conductor pattern. 
     
     
       4. The frame assembly of claim 3, wherein said connector block comprises a glass member filled with insert-molded conductors. 
     
     
       5. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein said connector block includes insert-molded connections, said insert molded connections being selectively connected to said pultrusion, thereby creating nets having differing electrical functions. 
     
     
       6. The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said connector block is of "T" shape. 
     
     
       7. The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said pultrusion has an elongated dimension, wherein said reinforcing fibers include conductive fibers contained within said pultrusion along said elongated dimension. 
     
     
       8. The frame assembly of claim 7 wherein said reinforcing fibers are arranged in planes substantially perpendicular to said elongated dimension. 
     
     
       9. The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said conductors are located in said grooves. 
     
     
       10. The frame assembly of claim 9 wherein said pultrusion has a hollow interior cavity, said hollow interior cavity having grooves therealong, and further comprising conductors in said grooves in said hollow interior cavity. 
     
     
       11. The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein each said pultrusion is a thermal setting polymer. 
     
     
       12. The frame assembly of claim 11 wherein said thermal setting polymer is selected from the group consisting essentially of polyester, vinyl ester, and epoxies. 
     
     
       13. The frame assembly of claim 11 wherein each said pultrusion is reinforced with fiberglass. 
     
     
       14. The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said reinforcing fibers are conductive fibers. 
     
     
       15. The frame assembly of claim 14 wherein at least 5% by weight of said conductive fibers are conductive carbon fiber. 
     
     
       16. The frame assembly of claim 14 wherein said conductive fibers are metallized carbon fibers. 
     
     
       17. The frame assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least 5% by weight of said reinforcing fibers in each said pultrusion aligned essentially perpendicularly to an elongated dimension of said pultrusion. 
     
     
       18. The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said conductors are copper circuit runs. 
     
     
       19. The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said conductors are one of copper and tin/lead plated copper circuit runs. 
     
     
       20. The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein each said pultrusion has a hollow interior portion extending along the direction of fan elongated dimension of each said pultrusion. 
     
     
       21. The frame assembly of claim 20 wherein each said pultrusion has a generally square or rectangular cross sectional shape perpendicular to said elongated dimension. 
     
     
       22. The frame assembly of claim 20 further comprising conductors located within said hollow interior portion of each said pultrusion. 
     
     
       23. The frame assembly of claim 22 wherein said conductors within said hollow interior portion of each said pultrusion are adapted to conduct power to said circuitry of said machine. 
     
     
       24. The frame assembly of claim 23 wherein each said pultrusion includes through holes formed therein, said through holes enabling connection of said conductors within said hollow interior portion to connectors for conduction of power to said circuitry of said machine. 
     
     
       25. The frame assembly of claim 24 wherein said through holes are formed by one of laser and mechanical drilling. 
     
     
       26. The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said conductors on said surface of each said pultrusion carry Integrated Input Output Connector bus signals for said circuitry of said machine. 
     
     
       27. The frame assembly of claim 26 wherein said at least one connector block is connected to said conductors on said surface of said at least two pultrusions, said at least one connector block carrying said Integrated Input Output Connector bus signals. 
     
     
       28. The frame assembly of claim 27 wherein said at least one connector block comprises a drawer connector. 
     
     
       29. The frame assembly of claim 27 wherein said at least one connector block comprises an Integrated Input Output Connector module having multiple pin terminals. 
     
     
       30. The frame assembly of claim 27 wherein said at least one connector block comprises a bus connector. 
     
     
       31. The frame assembly of claim 27 wherein said at least one connector block comprises a power bus connector. 
     
     
       32. The frame assembly of claim 27 wherein said at least one connector block includes spring contacts for connecting said at least one connector block to said pultrusion conductors. 
     
     
       33. The frame assembly of claim 27 wherein fastening means brings said at least one connector block into electrical connection with said conductors of said at least two pultrusions. 
     
     
       34. The frame assembly of claim 1, further comprising a semi-cylindrically shaped member carried by at least one of said pultrusion, said semi-cylindrically shaped member serving as a corner member on an external periphery of the machine. 
     
     
       35. The frame assembly of claim 34 wherein said corner member serves to secure an external machine cover. 
     
     
       36. The frame assembly of claim 34 wherein said corner member is aesthetically colored and textured. 
     
     
       37. A frame assembly that provides mechanical support and carries electrical conduction paths for connection to circuitry of a machine, comprising: a plurality of pultrusions, each of said pultrusions being adapted for interconnection to another of said pultrusions, each of said pultrusions including:   an insulating body and reinforcing fibers within said insulating body, said pultrusion having a plurality of grooves in surface portions along an elongated dimension;   a plurality of conductors in said grooves, said plurality of conductors providing electrical conduction paths for connection to circuitry of said machine, at least one of said conductors of one of said plurality of pultrusions being connectable to at least one of the conductors of another of said pultrusions; and   at least one contact block having two ends, one of the two ends abutting at least one of the plurality of conductors on one of the plurality of pultrusions, the other of the two ends abutting at least one of the plurality of conductors on another of the plurality of pultrusions;   wherein the two ends of the contact block are in electrical communication such that at least one of the conductors on one of the pultrusions is in electrical communication with at least one of the conductors on another of the pultrusions.   
     
     
       38. The frame assembly of claim 37 wherein said plurality of conductors of one of said pultrusions connect to a respective plurality of conductors of another of said pultrusions when said one and said another of said pultrusions are connected together. 
     
     
       39. The frame assembly of claim 37, wherein said at least one contact block is attachable to at least one of said pultrusions and has conductors that contact at least one of said conductors on said at least one pultrusion when said contact block is attached to said at least one pultrusion. 
     
     
       40. The frame assembly of claim 37, wherein said at least one contact block is attachable to mechanically connect at least two of said pultrusions and to electrically interconnect at least some of said conductors of said at least two of said pultrusions. 
     
     
       41. The frame assembly of claim 39, wherein said at least one contact block is connected to said at least one conductor by one of soldered areas, welded areas and spring contacts. 
     
     
       42. The frame assembly of claim 39, wherein said conductors of said at least one contact block include a molded conductor pattern. 
     
     
       43. The frame assembly of claim 42, wherein at least one contact wherein said block comprises a glass member filled with insert-molded conductors. 
     
     
       44. The frame assembly of claim 37, wherein said at least one contact block includes insert-molded connections, said insert-molded connections being selectively connected to said pultrusions, thereby creating nets having differing electrical functions. 
     
     
       45. The frame assembly of claim 40 wherein said at least one contact block is of "T" shape. 
     
     
       46. The frame assembly of claim 37 wherein said reinforcing fibers are conductive fibers. 
     
     
       47. The frame assembly of claim 46 wherein said conductive fibers are conductive carbon fibers. 
     
     
       48. The frame assembly of claim 46 wherein said conductive fibers are metalized carbon fibers. 
     
     
       49. The frame assembly of claim 37 wherein said pultrusions have hollow interior cavities, said hollow interior cavities having grooves therealong, and further comprising conductors in said grooves in said hollow interior cavities. 
     
     
       50. The frame assembly of claim 49 wherein said conductors within said hollow interior portion of said pultrusion are adapted to conduct power to said circuitry of said machine. 
     
     
       51. The frame assembly of claim 50 wherein said pultrusion includes through holes formed therein, said through holes enabling connection of said conductors within said hollow interior portion to connectors for conduction of power to said circuitry of said machine. 
     
     
       52. The frame assembly of claim 53 wherein said through holes are formed by one of laser and mechanical drilling. 
     
     
       53. The frame assembly of claim 37 further comprising a semi-cylindrically shaped member carried by at least one of said pultrusions, said semi-cylindrically shaped member serving as a corner member on an external periphery of the machine. 
     
     
       54. The frame member of claim 53 wherein said corner member serves to secure an external machine cover. 
     
     
       55. The frame member of claim 53 wherein said corner member is aesthetically colored and textured. 
     
     
       56. A frame assembly that provides mechanical support and electrical conduction paths for connection to circuitry of a reprographic copy machine, comprising: a plurality of pultrusions, each including an insulating body and reinforcing fibers within said insulating body, each said pultrusion having grooves in surface portions along an elongated dimension of said pultrusion, and conductors in said grooves, said conductors providing electrical conduction paths connectable to circuitry of said machine; and   at least one interconnect block that mechanically interconnects at least two of said pultrusions and that has at least one conductor that electrically connects selected conductors of said mechanically interconnected pultrusions.   
     
     
       57. The frame assembly of claim 56, wherein said interconnect block interconnects said selected conductors by soldered areas. 
     
     
       58. The frame assembly of claim 56, wherein said at least one conductor of said interconnect block includes a molded conductor pattern. 
     
     
       59. The frame assembly of claim 58, wherein said interconnect block comprises a glass member filled with insert-molded conductors. 
     
     
       60. The frame assembly of claim 56, wherein said interconnect block includes insert-molded connections, said insert molded connections being selectively connected to said pultrusions, thereby creating nets having differing electrical functions. 
     
     
       61. The frame assembly of claim 56 wherein said interconnect block is of "T" shape. 
     
     
       62. The frame assembly of claim 56 wherein said reinforcing fibers are contained within said pultrusions along said elongated dimension. 
     
     
       63. The frame assembly of claim 56 further comprising reinforcing fibers within said protrusions arranged in planes substantially perpendicular to said elongated dimension. 
     
     
       64. The frame assembly of claim 63 wherein at least some of said reinforcing fibers are conductive fibers. 
     
     
       65. The frame assembly of claim 56 wherein said grooves are aligned in surface portions of said pultrusions parallel with said elongated dimension. 
     
     
       66. The frame assembly of claim 65 wherein said pultrusions have a hollow interior cavity, said hollow interior cavity having grooves therealong, and further comprising conductors in said grooves in said hollow interior cavity. 
     
     
       67. The frame assembly of claim 66 wherein said conductors within said hollow interior portion of said pultrusions are adapted to conduct alternating current power to said circuitry of said machine. 
     
     
       68. The frame assembly of claim 67 wherein said pultrusions include through holes formed therein, said through holes enabling connection of said conductors within said hollow interior portion to connectors for conduction of power to said circuitry of said machine. 
     
     
       69. The frame assembly of claim 68 wherein said through holes are formed by one of laser and mechanical drilling. 
     
     
       70. The frame assembly of claim 56 further comprising a semi-cylindrically shaped member carried by at least one of said pultrusions, said semi-cylindrically shaped member serving as a corner member on an external periphery of the machine. 
     
     
       71. The frame member of claim 70 wherein said corner member serves to secure an external machine cover. 
     
     
       72. The frame member of claim 70 wherein said corner member is aesthetically colored and textured. 
     
     
       73. A frame assembly that provides mechanical support and carries electrical conduction paths for connection to circuitry of a machine, comprising: a pultrusion including an insulating body and reinforcing fibers within said insulating body, said pultrusion having grooves in surface portions along an elongated dimension;   conductors on a surface of said pultrusion, said conductors providing electrical conduction paths connectable to circuitry of said machine; and   at least one connector block, said connector block being attachable to said pultrusion and having conductor contacting portions for contacting said conductors when said connector block is attached to said pultrusion, wherein said connector block includes insert-molded connections, said insert-molded connections being selectively connected to said pultrusion, thereby creating nets having differing electrical functions, wherein said connector block includes at least one conductor establishing electrical communication between two ends of the connector block.   
     
     
       74. The frame assembly of claim 73, wherein one of the connector block ends abuts at least one of the conductors on the pultrusion, and the other of the connector block ends is adapted to abut at least one conductor of another pultrusion. 
     
     
       75. A frame assembly that provides mechanical support and carries electrical conduction paths for connection to circuitry of a machine, comprising: a plurality of pultrusions, each of said pultrusions being adapted for interconnection to another of said pultrusions, each of said pultrusions including: an insulating body and reinforcing fibers within said insulating body, said pultrusion having a plurality of grooves in surface portions along an elongated dimension; and   a plurality of conductors in said grooves, said plurality of conductors providing electrical conduction paths for connection to circuitry of said machine, at least one of said conductors of one of said plurality of pultrusions being connectable to at least one of the conductors of another of said pultrusions; and     at least one contact block including at least one conductor and insert-molded connections, said insert-molded connections being selectively connected to said pultrusions, thereby creating nets having differing electrical functions.   
     
     
       76. The frame assembly of claim 75, wherein said contact block has two ends, one of the two ends abutting at least one of the plurality of conductors of one of the plurality of pultrusions, the other of the two ends abutting at least one of the plurality of conductors of another of the plurality of pultrusions; wherein the two ends of the contact block are in electrical communication via the at least one conductor of the contact block such that said at least one conductor of said one pultrusion is in electrical communication with said at least one conductor of said another of the pultrusions.